Topographic analysis using digital elevation models (DEMs) has become commonplace in soil and hydrologic modeling and analysis and there has been considerable assessment of the effects of grid resolution on topographic metrics using DEMs of 10 m resolution or coarser. However, examining fine-scale (i.e., 1-10 m) soil and hydrological variability of headwater catchments may require higher-resolution data that has only recently become available, and both DEM accuracy and the effects of different high-resolution DEMs on topographic metrics are relatively unknown. This study has two principle research components. First, an error analysis of two high-resolution DEMs derived from light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data covering the same headwater catchment was conducted to assess the applicability of such DEMs for modeling fine-scale environmental phenomena. Second, one LiDAR-derived DEM was selected for computing topographic metrics to predict fine-scale functional soil units termed hydropedological units (HPUs). HPU development is related to topographic and surface/subsurface heterogeneity resulting in distinct hydrologic flowpaths leading to variation of soil morphological expression. Although the two LiDAR datasets differed with respect to data collection methods and nominal post-spacing of ground returns, DEMs interpolated from each LiDAR dataset exhibited similar error. Grid resolution affected DEM-delineated catchment boundaries and the value of computed topographic metrics. The best topographic metrics for predicting HPUs were the topographic wetness index, bedrock-weighted upslope accumulated area, and Euclidean distance from bedrock. Predicting the spatial distribution of HPUs may provide a more comprehensive understanding of hydrological and biogeochemical functionality of headwater systems. / Master of Science

A field experiment was conducted at near Lake Coleridge in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, focusing on the kinematic response of bedrock-dominated mountain edifices to seismic shaking. The role of topographic amplification of seismic waves causing degradation and possible failure of rock masses was examined. To study site effects of topography on seismic ground motion in a field situation, a small, elongated, and bedrock-dominated mountain ridge (Little Red Hill) was chosen and equipped with a seismic array. In total seven EARSS instruments (Mark L-4-3D seismometers) were installed on the crest, the flank and the base of the 210 m high, 500 m wide, and 800 m long mountain edifice from February to July 2006. Seismic records of local and regional earthquakes, as well as seismic signals generated by an explosive source nearby, were recorded and are used to provide information on the modes of vibration as well as amplification and deamplification effects on different parts of the edifice. The ground motion records were analyzed using three different methods:comparisons of peak ground accelerations (PGA), power spectral density analysis (PSD), and standard spectral ratio analysis (SSR). Time and frequency domain analyses show that site amplification is concentrated along the elongated crest of the edifice where amplifications of up to 1100 % were measured relative to the motion at the flat base. Theoretical calculations and frequency analyses of field data indicate a maximum response along the ridge crest of Little Red Hill for frequencies of about 5 Hz, which correlate to wavelengths approximately equal to the half-width or height of the edifice (~240 m). The consequence of amplification effects on the stability and degradation of rock masses can be seen: areas showing high amplification effects overlap with the spatial distribution of seismogenic block fields at Little Red Hill. Additionally, a laboratory-scale (1:1,000) physical model was constructed to investigate the effect of topographic amplification of ground motion across a mountain edifice by simulating the situation of the Little Red Hill field experiment in a smallscale laboratory environment. The laboratory results show the maximum response of the model correlates to the fundamental mode of vibration of Little Red Hill at approximately 2.2 Hz. It is concluded that topography, geometry and distance to the seismic source, play a key role causing amplification effects of seismic ground motion and degradation of rock mass across bedrock-dominated mountain edifices.

La conception de cartes topographiques de référence est aujourd’hui caractérisée par une multiplication des données géographiques et des services de conception cartographiques de plus en plus distribués. Dans ce contexte, il est nécessaire d’enrichir les connaissances existantes sur la rédaction cartographique afin de préserver la qualité des cartes produites, i.e. qu’elles soient lisibles et efficaces. Nous faisons l’hypothèse que le style topographique facilite la lisibilité et l’efficacité d’une carte grâce à des codes et repères visuels connus des utilisateurs. Nous nous sommes fixés comme objectif de formaliser la notion de style topographique en tant que famille cartographique regroupant des signes graphiques reconnus des utilisateurs afin de pouvoir l’utiliser pour produire de nouvelles cartes topographiques.Dans ce travail de thèse, nous proposons un modèle conceptuel intégrant les concepts clés de signature visuelle et de famille cartographique. Nous validons et instancions ce modèle à travers la mise en place d’entretiens auprès d’experts cartographes et le déploiement de deux expérimentations auprès d’utilisateurs permettant d’étudier les familles cartographiques IGN et Swisstopo. Les résultats obtenus permettent de caractériser les signatures visuelles de chacune de ces deux familles cartographiques. À l’aide de la caractérisation des signatures visuelles de ces deux styles topographiques typiques (IGN-France et Swisstopo), nous proposons des recommandations qui permettraient de produire de nouvelles cartes topographiques pour les deux cas d’application suivants : (1) produire de nouvelles cartes topographiques appartenant au même style topographique, (2) produire de nouvelles cartes topographiques à la frontière entre deux pays / agences nationales de cartographie / The design of topographic maps of reference is characterised both by an increasing amount of reference geographic databases and by design geo-services operating in distributed architectures. In this context, one of the major challenges consists in enriching the current knowledge on cartographic design in order to preserve the maps quality, i.e. they are legible, effective and usable. We assume that the topographic style renders maps legible and effective thanks to the visual codes and guides, well-known by the users. Our research purpose aims at formalising the concept of a topographic style as a cartographic family with a recognizable visual signature in order to produce new topographic maps.We propose to formalize key concepts of visual signature and cartographic family in a unified model. We validate and instantiate this model in setting up interviews of cartography experts and in designing user’s experiments allowing to evaluate the visual recognition of maps and graphic signs belonging in Swisstopo and IGN-France cartographic families. With results of the two user’s experiments, we characterize the visual signature of the two cartographic families. Then, we propose cartographic design guidelines in order to produce reference topographic maps based on the characterisation of the visual signature for two cases studies: (1) design a map belonging in a given cartographic family, (2) design a map on the border of two countries / two national mapping agencies

Hydrological modeling, like runoff modelling for flood prevention, is based on digital elevation models (DEMs). The fact that the DEMs do not represent existing road culverts can lead to considerable hydrological misinterpretations. In order to overcome this limitation, a GIS method was developed to automatically adjust the elevation model, hydrologically enforcing the DEM, so that the results of hydrological modeling accounts for flow through culverts. The hydro-enforced DEM showed to better represent the drainage network than the former DEM when compared with the river map. The topographic wetness index is the most commonly applied topographic index and a good indicator of soil moisture distribution. It has been integrated into many hydrological models and pollution risk indices as well as into the prediction of wetland distribution. Using the hydro-DEM from the previous step and the soil map in conjunction with the TWI, an improved TWI was achieved, namely a soil-topographic wetness index (STI). The linkages between specific soil types and TWI or STI values were analyzed. They revealed a clear linkage between STI values and soil type based on the soil transmissivity (R2=0.77). However, the TWI values showed low correlations to the soil types (R2=0.02). As a specific application, both TWI and STI were tested for the detection of wetlands. Wetlands are important ecosystems which act as buffer zones by filtering pollutants and slowing floodwater. Being able to identify their distribution is important in landscape planning and ecology. A wetland threshold value was determined for each index and their results where compared with the wetland map from the property map (assumed as ground truth) and with the potential wetland area. Finally, a visual validation was performed with the use of an aerial photography. The results showed that the STI performed slightly better than the TWI for the detection of wetlands, detecting 3% more wetlands. The impact of the soil map on the topographic wetness index was therefore determined as positive.

Cette étude se concentre sur la caractérisation des blocs-H préservés dans les marges de type « upper plate ». L’approche terre-mer a permis de diviser l’architecture crustale d’une « upper plate » en trois terrasses et deux zones d’escarpement, possédant leurs propres architectures crustales et stratigraphiques. Les limites de terrasses sont liées à des changements dans les modes d’extensions et définissent des points majeurs. Dans les Alpes il apparait que les principales structures Alpines correspondent à la réactivation des zones d’escarpements ou des failles de détachement. La collision finale est contrôlée par la présence des butoirs pouvant coïncider avec la zone de necking et le point de couplage de la marge de rift. La comparaison entre les observations de terrain et l’imagerie à l’échelle crustale, a permis d’intégrer plus de détails géologiques dans les observations sismique. / This study focused on the characterization of so called “H-blocks” recorded in upper plate. The onshore-offshore approach used in this study enabled to characterize and divide the crustal architecture of upper plate margins in three terraces and two ramps, characterized by diagnostic structural and stratigraphic features. Limits of terraces and location of ramps are considered to coincide with changes in the mode of extension and to define major limits/points. It appears that major Alpine structures result from the reactivation of former ramps or extensional detachment faults. Final collision appears to be controlled by the presence of strong buttresses that may coincide with the necking zone/coupling point of the former margin. The comparison of the different datasets ranging from field outcrops to seismic sections enables integrate more detailed geological observations in seismic observations.

A generalised model of biological topographic map development is presented which combines both weight plasticity and the formation and elimination of synapses (synaptic rewiring) as well as both activity-dependent and -independent processes. The question of whether an activity-dependent process can refine a mapping created by an activity-independent process is investigated using a statistical approach to analysingmapping quality. The model is then implemented in custom mixed-signal VLSI. Novel aspects of this implementation include: (1) a distributed and locally reprogrammable address-event receiver, with which large axonal fan-out does not reduce channel capacity; (2) an analogue current-mode circuit for Euclidean distance calculation which is suitable for operation across multiple chips; (3) slow probabilistic synaptic rewiring driven by (pseudo-)random noise; (4) the application of a very-low-current design technique to improving the stability of weights stored on capacitors; (5) exploiting transistor non-ideality to implement partially weightdependent spike-timing-dependent plasticity; (6) the use of the non-linear capacitance of MOSCAP devices to compensate for other non-linearities. The performance of the chip is characterised and it is shown that the fabricated chips are capable of implementing the model, resulting in biologically relevant behaviours such as activity-dependent reduction of the spatial variance of receptive fields. Complementing a fast synaptic weight change mechanism with a slow synapse rewiring mechanism is suggested as a method of increasing the stability of learned patterns.

The goal of this diploma thesis is to propose a proper method of comparison and quantification of differences in RÚIAN / ISKN and ZABAGED databases with respect to their specifics, while focusing on descriptive part of the data reflecting land use / land cover. This proposal is implemented using automated means of geographic information systems and the methodology is tested on sufficient number of appropriate areas. The theoretical part introduces with a possibility to compare datasets in general and with the characteristics of the both databases, with focus on their attribute part describing land use / land cover. The practical part consists of the design of comparison, methodology implementation description and testing of the whole design as well as testing of those individual components that influence the result of the comparison. Result of this thesis is a methodology and software (scripts) for comparison of RÚIAN / ISKN and ZABAGED databases.

Landslides, scree and other specific terrain objects in topographical databases and digital cartography Abstract Topographic maps capture detailed information about terrain. In traditional analogous way of creating these maps, understandable and illustrating cartographic symbology was used. However, certain spheres of symbology were modified with transition to digital topographic databases and digital cartography. Now they carry less information and are less illustrative. Main cause of this inaccuracy is imperfection of the cartographic software, which is unable to create appropriate symbology. This diploma thesis tries to solve aforesaid problem for some specific terrain objects as scree and landslides. These shapes are distinctive geomorphologic phenomenon in terrain, but they are often neglected as their occurrence in our territory is infrequent. Key words: topographic maps, digital cartography, scree, landslide, specific terrain object

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Hoje, existem muitas empresas de Cartografia que utilizam sistemas CAD para produção de cartas topográficas digitais.Este trabalho tem como proposta a identificação e classificação de erros de atributo gráfico em mapeamento digital, especialmente dados construídos em CAD (Computer Aided Design). Se os dados serão utilizados posteriormente num Sistema de Informações Geográficas, os dados espaciais deverão ser coletados de tal maneira que facilitem a inserção de topologia após a transferência dos dados. Como objetivo secundário, o trabalho propõe um melhor controle de qualidade, demonstrando seqüência lógica de tarefas para revisão e correção de problemas em dados espaciais / There are many Cartography corporations wich use CAD systems to built digital Topographic maps.This research intend to identify and classify errors of graphic attribute in digital mapping, specially digital spactial data built in CAD (Computer Aided Design). If these data will be applied in a Geographic Information System, they must be designed in a way that could easily perform spatial relationships (topology) after the data transfer.As a secondary objective, there is a suggestion of a better data quality control, showing a logical sequence of tasks to check up and correct problems in spatial data